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The animal carers at Christmas

Christmas paws for thought

Soldiers at the Defence Animal Centre (DAC) in Melton Mowbray will be reporting for work as normal to feed and exercise all the military animals, just as they have done for generations.

Starting at 7.00am a 40-strong team of soldiers will feed, groom and exercise the horses and dogs before enjoying a few hours off to enjoy their own Christmas festivities.

Sergeant Craig Bambro, aged 30, (pictured) is one such soldier. Craig works in the Canine Training Squadron and is responsible for the care of the 63 course dogs permanently based at the Defence Animal Centre. The dogs, that all have operational experience, are used to train the Armed Forces new dog handlers.

Craig, who will be part of the six-man canine team working on Christmas Day, said: “We all take turns to work the Christmas period. It’s a normal routine. We start at 7.00 – 7.30 am to feed all the dogs. Then we have to walk them all and clean their kennels.”

Married to Kelly with two children Anthony (8) and Laura (6), he continued: “We should all be able to finish for Christmas lunch. So I will head home to my family to enjoy a Christmas dinner.”

Mid-afternoon he will return to the Defence Animal Centre to exercise and feed the dogs again. The dogs will then be settled for the night and a final check on the dogs is made late evening. The only change to the working day for all is that there will be no training.

He continued: “It’s just part of the job. I’ve been doing it for the last 11-years. I’ll get up a bit earlier on Christmas morning to see the kids open some of their presents before I head into work.

“We’ll head to Newcastle for the New Year to see my family.”

On call 365 days a year

And whilst Craig is looking after the dogs, Sgt Kerry Moore will be part of the Veterinary team treating the animals that are less than one hundred percent fit and who require medication.

A Veterinary Technician, Kerry volunteered to work over Christmas. “I don’t have any children so I am happy to work and let those with children spend the full day with their families.”

A Veterinary Team is always on call 365 days a year, ready to respond to an emergency out-of-hours if required. Should there be a problem, the DAC has a digital x-ray machine and operating theatre.

“I’ll be on call over Christmas for emergencies and I will also attend the horses and dogs that have recently had surgery.”

Kerry will start work around 8.00 am on Christmas Day to check on all the animals and carry out routine treatments. For example, animals like Nane, a 5yr old horse who recently had surgery on his hind leg to repair a damaged cartilage in his joint, will need his bandages changing.

Nane is currently on complete rest for a month. Then he will be slowly introduced back to exercise, starting with a five minute walk a day. His exercise will be built up in five minute increments until he is back to full fitness, being regularly inspected by the vets to measure his progress. Once recovered, he will head to London to become part of the Household Cavalry Regiment.

Kerry said: “I’ll have my Christmas dinner with friends in the evening and I will spend the New Year with my family in Kent.”

Working over Christmas is nothing new for Kerry, having served over Christmas in Iraq during Op Telic.

“It’s the way it is,” she said.

“Whether you are military or civilian, caring for animals is a 365 day job.”

Horses will be fed and exercised

Farrier WO2 Christopher McCabe (Pictured top) has also volunteered to work over Christmas.

“It will be the same as any other day,” he said.

“We have to ensure all the horses are exercised as normal then I need to check their shoes to check they are not damaged.”

On Christmas morning the horses will be fed and exercised. Whilst the horses are stretching their legs, their stables will be mucked out so they return to a clean home with fresh hay and water.

Over 200 horses will be at the DAC over Christmas. Some of whom have come to the Centre for a rest from their job in the capital with the Household Cavalry Regiment.

Married to Claire, Christopher continued: “Claire is very understanding. I always volunteer to work so that the younger lads in the team can enjoy Christmas at home with their families. I don’t mind, we will spend the New Year in Glasgow with my family.”

The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Morrison said “The care of our military animals is our priority. Regardless of the time of year, we have to ensure our animals are fed and exercised. Christmas dinner comes second; the welfare of our animals comes first.

“Our soldiers working over Christmas will enjoy a New Year break and vice versa and we will all come back refreshed, ready for the start of the New Year.”

The Defence Animal Centre is the epicentre for research and development in the use of animals in Defence. It comprises 4 Squadrons: Headquarters, Canine Training Squadron, Equine Training Squadron and the Veterinary Training Squadron.